White Rose of Avalon

Royal History

  • Prisoner Queens

    Many queens throughout history have been held captive.    Obviously, the Tudor queens who had been executed were held prisoner first.    Anne Boleyn spent from May 2, 1536 to May 19, 1536 (when she was executed) in the tower.    Likewise, Katheryn Howard and Jane Grey spent time captive before they were executed.   …

  • My Top Five Films Featuring Marie Antoinette

    Today I would like to count down my five favorite films that are set at the end of the French monarchy.    These films, of course, feature Marie Antionette as a character.   The actress playing Marie Antoinette, and her talent at interpreting the role play a huge part in where the film ends up…

  • The Cultural Legend of Anne Boleyn

    Anne Boleyn is a historical figure who has obtained legendary status.    This also means that she is a figure that has been misunderstood over the years, and one that it is near impossible to entirely pin point.    There is a question over whether we could ever truly know who she was. We do…

  • Livia: Empress of Rome

    Livia was the wife of Augustus, and as such was the Empress of Rome.   She was actually married already when Augustus (earlier known as Octavian) fell in love with her.   Octavian himself was also still married to his first wife at the time.    Livia was actually pregnant when the young ruler decided…

  • The Great

    The Great is a Hulu television series that takes a comedic sendup of the life of Catherine the Great of Russia!    It is in the vein of the Apple TV+ series Dickinson.   The humor is modern and often rather crude.    The crude humor is one of the fun things about this great…

  • Queens as Polyglots

    A polyglot is someone that speaks multiple languages, and we can see some important queens numbered among them.    Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots all spoke at least six languages! It is unsurprising that royal children would be given the education that would allow them to speak multiple languages.    What is…

  • Was Katherine of Aragon’s Marriage to Prince Arthur Consummated?

    The question over whether or not Katherine of Aragon was a virgin when she married Henry VIII is one that has been debated for about 500 years!    Katherine maintained that her marriage to Arthur had never been consummated.    Henry VII likely had some doubts about this, given that he desired her to marry…

  • My Top Five Elizabeth I Portrayals

    Today I am counting down my top five actresses to portray Elizabeth I! Number 5: Cate Blanchett Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age ~Cate Blanchett is a great actress to portray Elizabeth I.   She is one of the most aesthetically realistic to give life to this role!    Both films are enjoyable and visually…

  • My Top Five Mary Queen of Scots Portrayals

    Today I would like to count down my top five Mary Queen of Scots portrayals!  Number 5: Clemence Posey Gunpowder, Treason, Plot ~This mini-series had the first part focused on Mary and the second on her son.   I love that French actress Clemence Posey played Mary.   She does a good job, and the…

  • The Thorn and the Rose

    For today’s post I am going to be discussing the sisters of Henry VIII.   The Thorn of the title referred to Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland.   The Rose of the title referred to Mary Rose Tudor, former Queen of France, and Duchess of Suffolk.   The sisters were several years apart in age,…